In the '80s, anime started to go through a change. With new technology available, animation studios were able to increase their quality of animation and artwork significantly. Soon enough anime became more mainstream in Japan thanks to hit shows like Dragon Ball Z and the emergence of Studio Ghibli.
It’s safe to say that the '80s were a great era for anime with new innovations, iconic shows, and movies being released that now have cult followings. Even the aesthetics of anime in the '80s are widely popular with fans today- which can be seen through the preference for '80s style in some modern shows.
10 Banana Fish Follows The Story Of An Unlikely Friendship
Written in 1985, Banana Fish is a manga that got an anime adaptation by MAPPA studios in 2018. This anime follows the story of Eiji Okumura and Ash Lynx in New York. Ash Lynx is the leader of a gang and Eiji is the assistant for a photographer.
These two very different individuals find a friendship with each other and try to solve the mystery of Banana Fish. Anime watchers might be surprised to hear that this anime was originally set in the '80s during the manga since the anime was changed to be set in 2018.
9 Erased Is A Story Featuring A Time Traveler
Released in 2012, Erased is a popular manga that got an anime adaptation in 2017. Erased follows the story of Satoru Fujinuma a man who has a power known as revival. This power allows Satoru to be sent back in time to moments of life-threatening situations, giving him the chance to prevent them from happening.
Satoru's current self is from the year 2006, however, when he is transported back in time due to the revival power most of the time in the anime is spent in 1988.
8 Kamichu Stars A Middle School Goddess
The anime Kamichu follows the story of Yurie a middle school girl who overnight becomes a Kami. A Kami is a spirit that has holy powers and is a part of the Shinto religion. After Suddenly becoming a goddess Yurie meets other divinities, spirits, and learns the ways of becoming a great goddess.
Although this anime is a fantasy slice of life featuring things of the supernatural it was still set in the time period of the early '80s.
7 Higurashi Revolves Around Murder Mysteries
Higurashi is a horror anime based on Keiichi Maebara and his group of friends who live in a small village. This village has an annual festival that is linked to murders and some disappearances. These murders are also known to be linked to the village's god known as Oyashiro.
Trying to understand all these mysteries Keiichi becomes paranoid and finds himself straight into the center of these mysteries. Despite being a horror anime, fans might not know that it actually takes place in the summer of 1983.
6 Jojo Stardust Crusaders Features The Emergence Of A Stand
Stardust Crusaders is season two of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure arguably one of the most popular arcs of the series. This season of Jojo centers around Jotaro Kujo who has been arrested and believes he is possessed by an evil spirit.
However, this evil spirit is just his fighting spirit known as a Stand. The emergence of this Stand is thanks to his nemesis Dio Brando. Although in the past season Jojo was set in 1938, Stardust Crusaders is set in 1988.
5 Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinju Follows The Story Of A Former Yakuza
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinju follows the story of Yotaru a former yakuza member. After being released from prison Yotarou only has one thing on his mind, being able to take the stage of rakugo.
Rakugo is a form of traditional Japanese comedic storytelling and so this series shows Yoatrou's journey of training to take the stage. Throughout this anime, we see the past and present. However, Season 2 was set in the '80s.
4 City Hunter Stars A Group Of Contractors
City Hunter is an anime series about "City Hunter" a knowledgeable group of contractors who takes jobs no matter how dangerous they can be. The main member of the City Hunter group is Ryou Saeba, and together with the rest of his group, they solve dangerous cases.
From small things such as pickpockets to dangerous jobs such as arms dealing. This anime will give fans nostalgia with its style since it was written in 1985, animated in 1987, and is set in the '80s.
3 Cat's Eye Tells The Story Of Three Sisters In Search Of Their Missing Father
Cat's Eye is an anime series about three sisters Rui, Ai, and Hitomi. Although during the day these three sisters own and run a cafe called "Cat's Eye" at night they search for their missing father. These sisters rob art galleries in the hopes of finding information about their father that disappeared.
However, Hitomi had a boyfriend who is also a police officer who wants to catch these girls not knowing who they are. Cat's Eye first aired in 1983 and takes place in the '80s.
2 Otaku No Video Tells The Life Of An Otaku
Otaku No Video is a very short series about the life of otakus. Otakus are individuals who are super obsessed with anime and manga. This anime tells the story of an average person who slowly starts to become a full-fledged otaku.
Otaku No Video was released in 1991 and has mixed scenes between live-action and animation. Although released in the '90s this anime is set in 1982, when the rise of anime popularity truly began.
1 Megazone 23 Follows The Story Of A Motorcycle Enthusiast
This series stars Shougo Yahagi and motorcycle enthusiasts. In this cyberpunk world, society is being watched through the eyes of a computer program disguised by a pop idol. One day Shougo's friend shows him a new motorcycle that can transform into a robot however the military suddenly shows up and Shougo takes off with this new bike.
Although this series is filled with futuristic cyberpunk inventions it still takes place in the '80s.